SANDRA’S EASY CHEESY TATER TOT CASSEROLE

I found my photograph and recipe 
are featured at the 'Yummily' website 
@ http://www.yummly.com/
recipe/Opie_s-Cheesy-Tater-Tot-Casserole-Recipezaar, 
on the "Cooking-Bakeware.net" website
@ http://cookware-baking.net/
Baking/casserole-recipes/, and
at the Frugal Cafe Blog Zone
http://www.frugal-cafe.com/public_html/frugal-blog/frugal-cafe-blogzone/2011/04/22/fab-food-friday-fotos-almond-cantucci-cheesy-tater-tot-casserole-rhubarb-blueberry-pie-turnip-corn-chowder-pretzel-dogs-salads-red-bean-jambalaya-pasta-recipes/

Servings: (6)
Prep: 5 Mins.
Bake: 50 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. lean moose burger
--(or venison, or beef, or buffalo)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (12.5 oz. can) healthy request cream of mushroom condensed soup
½ cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons low-sodium tamari sauce (aged soy sauce)
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 pkg. frozen extra crispy ore-ida tater tots
1 (14.5 oz.) can french-cut green beans, drained
1-1/2 cups grated medium cheddar cheese, divided

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400° degrees. Coat a square 9"x9" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.

In a large skillet non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, brown the burger until about ¾’s the way cooked through, and then add the onions, and garlic, and continue to saute until the onions are translucent. Layer meat mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, whisk the condensed soup, sour cream, milk, worcestershire sauce, tamari sauce, dry mustard, and pepper. With a spoon, fold in the drained green beans, and spoon the sauce evenly over the meat mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle ½ of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots to completely cover top.

Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and beef mixture is bubbly. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with remaining ½ of shredded cheddar cheese, and continue baking, just until cheese melts for 5 to 10 minutes. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes, and serve. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S HAM BREAKFAST STRATA – FAMILY SIZE

This makes for the ultimate breakfast or brunch, 
and it's so very easy to prepare...

Servings: (6 to 8)
Prep: 15 Mins. |
Bake: 25 to 30 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced (or button mushrooms)
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup fully cooked ham, cubed
2 green onions, roughly chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, at room temp.
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 eggs
2 cups cubed whole wheat bread, crust removed, cut into ½” cubes
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (and whole leaves for garnish)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 10” round  by 2” deep casserole dish (or a 9”x12” rectangle baking dish) sprayed with oil, and set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and saute the crimini mushrooms, zucchini, ham, green onions, red pepper, and garlic, just until vegetables are tender for about 3 to 4 minutes, and remove from heat.

In a medium-mixing bowl, whisk the cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth, and then add the eggs and mix to combine. With a spoon, fold in the bread, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, kosher salt, and ground pepper, including the vegetable mixture.

Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in  center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes to set before serving, and cut into serving-sized pieces.  Garnish with fresh basil leaves. - Enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tips: I like to serve the Breakfast Strata with wedges of fresh cantaloupe, and fruit juice - oh, and any leftovers are great reheated!


Also, this is a brunch favorite, so you might wish to double the recipe and bake it in two baking pans for special occasions.

SANDRA'S FAMILY SNACKS ~~~ HEALTHY AND QUICK

Posted: by Sandra

Fruit and dip:
Vanilla yogurt
Peanut butter
Honey

Apples & banana slices

Mix the first 3 ingredients, proportioned to your desired taste in a small bowl. Slice the fruit, and then dip into yogurt mixture for an enjoyable snack.
Or;
Apple and/or banana slices, topped with a bit of peanut Butter

Veggies and dip:
Vegetable sticks
Fat free dip/dressing

Celery/Peanut Butter/Raisins or Honey:
Celery stocks
Peanut butter
Raisins or honey

Spread the peanut butter on the inside curved portion of the celery, and top with a few raisins, or a drizzle of honey.

Sandwich:
whole grain bread
tomatoes
cucumbers
chicken or ham
mayonnaise in limited quantity

Yogurt and Granola with Fruit:
Low fat flavored yogurt
Granola
Fruit (strawberries and cantaloupe)

Popcorn:
Popcorn (butterless)
Sprayed with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter (with pump sprayer)
Salt in limited quantity

Mixed Nuts:
Nuts are high in protein, but not more than 3 tablespoons

OTHER HEALTHY SNACK OPTIONS:

· Hard boiled eggs

· Whole grain crackers with low fat cheese

· Bowl of healthy cereals

· Low-fat peanut butter and sugar-free jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread

· Individual pizzas made with whole wheat English muffins, salt-free tomato sauce, dried oregano, and low-fat mozzarella cheese

· Orange fruit smoothie made with fresh orange juice, ice cubes, and fat-free, sugar-free vanilla yogurt (or search this site for Sandra's numerous smoothie recipes.)

SANDRA'S FRUIT and BERRY SALAD with a LEMON-YOGURT DRESSING

A refreshing and very healthy, quickly prepared
snack for your family...

Servings: (6)
Prep Time: 15 mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

Dressing:
1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

1-1/2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Fruit salad:
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

1-1/2 cups chopped apple
--(about 1 large)

1 cup strawberries, hulled and quartered

1 cup peeled and chopped kiwi
--(about 2 large)

1 cup melon (cantaloupe, watermelon, and/or honeydew)

1/4 fresh blueberries, or frozen thawed (or any other type of berry)

1 banana, sliced (add just before serving to prevent oxidation)

Garnish:
--Sprigs of fresh mint

METHOD

Combine yogurt, honey, lemon rind and cinnamon in a small bowl (you can make ahead & refrigerate).

Combine fruit and berry ingredients in a medium bowl (except for banana); toss gently to combine.

Just before serving, fold in banana slices. Top fruit and berry mixture with yogurt dressing, and finish off each serving with a fresh sprig of mint. - Enjoy!